In a quick turn of events that has surprised most of us, Saudi Arabia sights the Eid al Fitr crescent on 20th April. This signifies that Eid will be celebrated on the 21st of April, Friday.
The supreme court of Saudi Arabia called on Muslims throughout the country to keep a lookout for the Shawwal crescent. Earlier this week, the international astronomy center announced that it does not expect the Shawwal moon on Thursday night. This meant that the country prepared for a Saturday Eid. In fact, the Eid holidays were also announced in tandem with this prediction.
Man plans, but fate has other ideas. Muslims celebrate Eid al Fitr on the first of Shawwal after a month of fasting throughout Ramadan. The sighting of Shawwal signifies the end of Ramadan, and Eid prayers are offered the next morning.
Since the Hijri calendar has months of either 29 or 30 days, Eid falling on Friday would have corresponded to a month of 29, while on Saturday would make Ramadan last 30 days.
Yet in what was a miracle, the moon was sighted across the Middle East in a hybrid total solar eclipse. These were the exact reasons astronomers cited why it might be impossible to sight the moon on Thursday Night.
